RICHMOND spearhead Jack Riewoldt is 'banging down' the coach's door in his bid to get back on the field, as early as next weekend's encounter with Sydney at Marvel Stadium.
With Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin to return from suspension and defender Bachar Houli a chance to make his comeback from a hamstring injury, the news the Tigers could also regain Riewoldt is a huge bonus after their outstanding seven-point win against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Riewoldt hasn't played since suffering a wrist injury and medial damage to his knee in the round two loss to Collingwood.
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He has recovered from his wrist complaint but will need to pass a fitness test on his knee this week.
The Tigers (2-2) will also take into consideration their short four-day turnaround after the Sydney game leading into the Anzac Day eve game against Melbourne on April 24 before deciding whether Riewoldt returns.
"He's been banging my door down for a couple of days, he wanted to play this week," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.
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"It's probably less likely than likely that he plays this week, because we go into a four-day break after the Sydney game.
"It will be a matter of, he might get away with this week, but he might miss the next one by pulling up a bit sore, so we'll go through that."
Houli was initially named to take on the Power but was scratched from the team on Friday morning.
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Hardwick was thrilled with his side's upset victory, especially considering they were without their big four of Martin, Riewoldt, captain Trent Cotchin and All-Australian defender Alex Rance.
The Tigers made six changes after their 49-point loss to Greater Western Sydney last weekend.
"It was a great win," Hardwick said.
"We came over here against a quality opposition on their home deck and in a hostile environment.
"To have some young players in, some inexperience, we built it up as an exciting opportunity for our boys and set that scene pretty early in the week, and they delivered."
